THE C31 road between Witton-le-Wear and Hamsterley remains closed with villagers and visitors continuing to endure a lengthy diversion along narrow, winding roads.
Villagers have patiently been awaiting any news regarding how much longer it will be before the road is mended or a new road built.
The road was closed in January 2023 after the embankment became unstable. Following ground investigation works and further slippage of the carriageway and embankment, a decision was made to close the road to all traffic in the interests of public safety.
Durham County, which has the responsibility for roads and bridges as the highways authority, also became aware of ongoing erosion to the top of the southern embankment both adjacent to the road closure and further downstream including in the vicinity of the A68 bridge.
This, an inspection revealed, had caused some minor damage to the southern apron adjacent to the bridge pier. The council has been monitoring the situation whilst it investigates options to protect the bridge.
The road has been closed since January 2023, to accommodate specialist ground investigation contractors who have been examining the sub-surface conditions beneath the road and also assessing the stability of the embankment.
Extensive feasibility studies were carried out by a Design Consultant, which concluded in the Autumn of 2024. But the design, seeking planning permission and preparing a tender have all been paused since then.
Specialist ground investigation consultants completed monitoring of the ground on the embankment and under the road at the C31. The results show the presence of a water table over 3m below the carriageway surface which is contributing to the instability issues faced. Ground water is presenting at various locations on the embankment causing the area to move and destabilising the highway leading to cracking.
We are now engaging with specialist designers to explore potential solutions, and progress with a preferred design option and estimate. We are currently assessing potential solutions and exploring funding opportunities.
Durham County Council has stated that it is looking to appoint a specialist consultant to undertake the necessary design feasibility study to identify a potential long-term solution. This will take time as further on-site surveys will be required.
And in the meantime, the villagers wait with less and less patience.
Mark Readman, Durham County Council’s head of highways, said: “We appreciate this closure is an inconvenience and would like to thank residents for their continued patience and understanding.
“The closure is necessary for safety reasons following a land slip and the scale of this has made investigative work complex.
“We have sought a consultant’s advice and are currently considering the options presented and deciding how to proceed. We aim to update residents in summer 2026 when this work is complete.
“In the meantime, the diversion route is still in place, and we will continue to monitor its condition to ensure that it remains safe for all road users.”
